Medical Coder Salary in Delaware: $42,116 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Delaware's 6 metropolitan areas, the average median medical coder pay sits at $42,116/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2072. Because Delaware sits at BEA RPP 101.7 (2% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $41,412 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Dover ($43,136), Wilmington ($40,439), Newark ($33,071).
In Delaware, medical coder salaries are slightly above the national median, with a projected average median salary of $42,116 for 2026, compared to the national median of $41,861, representing a 0.6% increase. The highest paying city in the state is Dover, where salaries reach $44,137, while Middletown offers the lowest at $31,467, creating a significant salary gap of $12,670 between these two locales. This difference can be attributed to varying demands for healthcare services and the presence of larger healthcare facilities in cities like Dover, which drive up salaries. Delaware’s medical coders must adhere to state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can affect job opportunities and salary levels. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.32% for this profession, the job market reflects a steady demand for coders amid evolving healthcare regulations and increasing administrative tasks associated with coding and billing. The top five cities for medical coder salaries in 2026 are Dover at $44,137, Wilmington at $41,377, Newark at $33,838, Bear at $32,638, and Smyrna at $31,552. The overall employment landscape for this role in Delaware appears stable, providing opportunities for both entry-level and experienced coders.
Delaware Medical Coder Salary Range
Overall salary range in Delaware: $23,789 (lowest entry-level) to $63,934 (highest top earner)
Delaware vs National Average
Delaware medical coders earn 0.61% more than the national median (+$255/year difference).
Delaware Medical Coder Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Coder salaries in Delaware range from $28,797 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $56,336 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $42,116. The Delaware median is $255 above the US national median of $41,861. The average hourly rate is $20.25/hr. Approximately 142 medical coders are employed across 6 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$36,710
2025 BLS Actual
$41,161
2026 Current Est.
$42,116
2021–2027 Growth
+17.4%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Delaware (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $36,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,828 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,161 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,116 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,093 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Delaware metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew 12.1% from $36,710 (2021) to $41,161 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,093 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,383 (17.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Delaware metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.32% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Delaware
Lowest Paying Cities in Delaware
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Middletown | $31,467 |
| Smyrna | $31,552 |
| Bear | $32,638 |
| Newark | $33,838 |
| Wilmington | $41,377 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Coders in Delaware
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Delaware cities offer the most purchasing power for medical coders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover | $44,137 | 97.507 | $45,265 |
| Wilmington | $41,377 | 101.7 | $40,685 |
| Newark | $33,838 | 101.7 | $33,272 |
| Bear | $32,638 | 101.7 | $32,092 |
| Smyrna | $31,552 | 101.7 | $31,025 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Delaware
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $28,797 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $42,116 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $56,336 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Delaware metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 6 Cities in Delaware
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dover | $44,137 |
| 2 | Wilmington | $41,377 |
| 3 | Newark | $33,838 |
| 4 | Bear | $32,638 |
| 5 | Smyrna | $31,552 |
| 6 | Middletown | $31,467 |
More Delaware Salary Data
Explore More Medical Coder Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical coders make in Delaware in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical coders in Delaware?
How does Delaware medical coder pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical coder salary in Delaware?
How many medical coders are employed in Delaware?
Which Delaware city offers the best value for medical coders?
Written by Aisha Patel, RHIT, CPC
Career Analyst
Aisha has over 10 years of experience in medical coding. She specializes in inpatient coding at acute care facilities. Aisha works closely with healthcare providers to ensure accurate coding practices.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical coder compensation across Delaware. State averages are employment-weighted across 6 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical coderscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical coders (SOC 29-2072).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, RHIT, CPC, a licensed medical coder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov